A new partnership between Microsoft Corp., the Smithsonian Institution, and TakingITGlobal will encourage teachers to use educational technology to improve the way students learn. The partnership, called Shout, will help teachers integrate project-based learning to develop students’ problem-solving skills by having them team up with their peers around the globe to solve real-world challenges.
Shout’s web site, http://www.shoutlearning.org, launched on Oct. 27 (2010). Beginning in November, teachers from around the world will find the first Shout challenge, which addresses the issue of deforestation. Each challenge will kick off with an online event for teachers and students featuring Smithsonian scientists.
I have been hard at work promoting problem-based learning in my school districts.
One of the things I have done for my teachers is I have created a 1-1/2 hour self-directed Moodle course that introduces the concept of problem-based learning, how it is different from project-based learning, and how problem-based learning activities should look. Because Defined S.T.E.M. is available for free this year to all PAIUnet-connected school districts, I encourage teachers to use the content in that site, either outright, or as a model for the kinds of problem scenarios that can be created for all subject areas. A quick training on how to use that site is incorporated into the Moodle course. (Your local I.U. has log-in codes for the Defined S.T.E.M. site, and your school district should also have them.) *To access the free Moodle course, go to elearning.cciu.org, create an account (unless you/they alreadyhave one), and then log-in using DEFINEDSTEM as the enrollment key.
To be honest, I have not seen any particular book that addresses problem-based learning well, at least not in my humble opinion. I am in the process of creating a 4-part on-line course series for teachers on every aspect of problem-based learning, which includes written and multi-media materials from a wide variety of sources. This should be competed sometime in the late fall, and will be offered to all Pennsylvania educators.
I strongly suggest that before you even begin to try to get teachers to incorporate problem-based learning, that they have a good foundational understanding of why it is important to give students this kind of an educational experience. This is vital, as teachers need to believe in this approach for it to be successful. I would suggest your teachers read "Change By Design" by Tim Brown, a very powerful book that would be a great foundation for getting teachers on-board with the need for problem-based teaching/learning in the classroom.
Debbie Lugar
Educational Technology Specialist
Chester County Intermediate Unit 24
The Buck Institute has a PBL Starter kit you might find useful. http://www.bie.org/diy
Sue Sheffer
I agree that the Buck Institute has research and examples of project based learning. I know this sounds self-serving (even though the material on the site is free---just scroll down and register for security purposes) but I decided to share many of the projects I created and initiated during my career. Teachers are free to use any of them. In working with teachers over the years, one of the first problems in using pbl is that teachers did not spend time teaching students how to collaborate. As you know, collaborative learning is the bedrock upon which pbl is built, and unless students are taught how to work together, the entire structure tends to crumble. On the site are my opinions on how to structure collaborative learning, as well as projects that were successful. http://ralphmaltese.com/ Hope this helps.
- Show quoted text -
On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 3:21 PM, Julie Allison <allisonj@basd.k12.pa.us> wrote:
Hi all- Just wanted to get some suggestions for a book to introduce a staff to Problem Based Learning. My district is quite interested in exploring pbl...and I wanted to help them find something to read/look at/model. Thanks so much, You all ROCK!
Julie Allison Technology Integration Coach allisonj@basd.k12.pa.us
Beaver
Area School District 1 Gypsy Glen Road Beaver, PA 15009 724-774-0251 ext 2213
-- "Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment." the poet Rumi "The only reason for time is so that everything does not happen at once." Albert Einstein Ralph Maltese Ed Consultant and PDE Mentor with "21st Century Teaching and Learning" Adjunct Professor, Temple University 2002 PA Teacher of the Year ralph.maltese@gmail.com
A new partnership between Microsoft Corp., the Smithsonian Institution, and TakingITGlobal will encourage teachers to use educational technology to improve the way students learn. The partnership, called Shout, will help teachers integrate project-based learning to develop students’ problem-solving skills by having them team up with their peers around the globe to solve real-world challenges.
Shout’s web site, http://www.shoutlearning.org, launched on Oct. 27 (2010). Beginning in November, teachers from around the world will find the first Shout challenge, which addresses the issue of deforestation. Each challenge will kick off with an online event for teachers and students featuring Smithsonian scientists.
Interesting project
What is the Flat Classroom™ Project?
Follow Me Project has been created to let you share your adventures with the world via Web 2.0 technology. The Follow Me Project is open to everyone:
Help from the Listserve!
I have been hard at work promoting problem-based learning in my school districts.
One of the things I have done for my teachers is I have created a 1-1/2 hour self-directed Moodle course that introduces the concept of problem-based learning, how it is different from project-based learning, and how problem-based learning activities should look. Because Defined S.T.E.M. is available for free this year to all PAIUnet-connected school districts, I encourage teachers to use the content in that site, either outright, or as a model for the kinds of problem scenarios that can be created for all subject areas. A quick training on how to use that site is incorporated into the Moodle course. (Your local I.U. has log-in codes for the Defined S.T.E.M. site, and your school district should also have them.) *To access the free Moodle course, go to elearning.cciu.org, create an account (unless you/they alreadyhave one), and then log-in using DEFINEDSTEM as the enrollment key.
To be honest, I have not seen any particular book that addresses problem-based learning well, at least not in my humble opinion. I am in the process of creating a 4-part on-line course series for teachers on every aspect of problem-based learning, which includes written and multi-media materials from a wide variety of sources. This should be competed sometime in the late fall, and will be offered to all Pennsylvania educators.
I strongly suggest that before you even begin to try to get teachers to incorporate problem-based learning, that they have a good foundational understanding of why it is important to give students this kind of an educational experience. This is vital, as teachers need to believe in this approach for it to be successful. I would suggest your teachers read "Change By Design" by Tim Brown, a very powerful book that would be a great foundation for getting teachers on-board with the need for problem-based teaching/learning in the classroom.
Debbie Lugar
Educational Technology Specialist
Chester County Intermediate Unit 24
debbiel@cciu.org
484-237-5030
The Buck Institute has a PBL Starter kit you might find useful.
http://www.bie.org/diy
Sue Sheffer
I agree that the Buck Institute has research and examples of project based learning. I know this sounds self-serving (even though the material on the site is free---just scroll down and register for security purposes) but I decided to share many of the projects I created and initiated during my career. Teachers are free to use any of them. In working with teachers over the years, one of the first problems in using pbl is that teachers did not spend time teaching students how to collaborate. As you know, collaborative learning is the bedrock upon which pbl is built, and unless students are taught how to work together, the entire structure tends to crumble. On the site are my opinions on how to structure collaborative learning, as well as projects that were successful. http://ralphmaltese.com/ Hope this helps.
- Show quoted text -
On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 3:21 PM, Julie Allison <allisonj@basd.k12.pa.us> wrote:
Hi all- Just wanted to get some suggestions for a book to introduce a staff to Problem Based Learning. My district is quite interested in exploring pbl...and I wanted to help them find something to read/look at/model. Thanks so much, You all ROCK!
Julie Allison Technology Integration Coach allisonj@basd.k12.pa.us
Beaver
Area School District 1 Gypsy Glen Road Beaver, PA 15009 724-774-0251 ext 2213
-- "Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment." the poet Rumi "The only reason for time is so that everything does not happen at once." Albert Einstein Ralph Maltese Ed Consultant and PDE Mentor with "21st Century Teaching and Learning" Adjunct Professor, Temple University 2002 PA Teacher of the Year ralph.maltese@gmail.com